Leut-Gen. Montagu Brocas Burrows, CB, DSO, MC, the former Oxford and Army cricketer, died in hospital in London on January 17, aged 72. The sudden death of Brocas Burrows robs the world of a remarkable personality, and many people of varying ages and classes of society of a loyal friend and gay companion.
Endowed with a fine physique, good looks, a fine intelligence and a wonderful joie de vivre, he used them all in a full enjoyment of a full and varied life which he communicated to those with whom he was working or playing. When Brocas was around there was never a dull moment. He was never happier than at home with his wife and family. His son, A. R. B., played for Eton in 1955-6-7.

A natural athlete and allround games player of considerable ability, he was a very good cricketer of the type which appears to be so often lacking in cricket of today. A dashing batsman and fielder in the Eton XI's of 1912
and 1913, captained by D. G. Wigan and (Sir) J. Heathcote-Amory, of Devonshire fame, he hardly bowled at all.

His Oxford cricket was interrupted by the 1914 War when he was immediately given a commission in the 5th Inniskilling Dragoons, but was unfortunately taken prisoner in an early engagement. In due course he had the good fortune
to be "exchanged" into Holland where he was a leading light of that remarkable band of cricketers who had enjoyed similar good luck, and who quickly took
advantage of local facilities at The Hague for enjoying the bi-national pastime. Others included J. C. W. MacBryan and H. Forman (Somerset), G. H. S. Fowke (Leicestershire), G. E. V. Crutchley and C. H. L. Skeet (Oxford and
Middlesex), E. L. Armitage (Hants.), A. C. G. Luther (Sussex), W. A. Worsley (Yorks.), F. T. D. Wilson (Army, 1914), G. E. C. Greene (Toronto, Canada)-a pretty useful lot who did a great deal to keep Dutch cricket going during the war and get it off afterwards to the good start which has developed into its present happy condition. The internees owed a lot to the help and hospitality of C. J. Posthuma, Holland's Grand Old Man, who had played a lot with "W. G." and his London County C.C.

On release Captain Burrows, who had learnt to speak Russian whilst a prisoner, hastened. to take part in the Murmansk hostilities where he achieved great distinction and many Russian decorations. On his return he was appointed adjutant to the O.T.C. at Oxford, where he achieved the unusual honour of playing both for and against the University in the same season, 1920, and became a Harlequin. In 1921 he appeared for Surrey v Sussex at The Oval.

He was also an active member of the famous Incogniti side - many of whom elected ad hoc had barely time to buy their Incog colours - skippered by E. J. Metcalfe, of Eton and Queensland, which visited North America (including Philadelphia) in 1920. It contained names so well known as E. G. Wynyard, D. R. Jardine, T. C. Lowry, G. O. Shelmerdine, J. S. F. Morrison and others who could play "more than somewhat" and was a bit too strong for their charming and enthusiastic opponents.

By this time, Brocas, who had developed into a fast bowler of pace and quality, was a prominent member of the very strong Army sides of the 'twenties and later, and of the United (as yet un-Combined) Services which usually
gave the touring side a good game. Perhaps his best performance was against the Navy, stronger than now, in 1920, when, though not put on till late in the second innings, he took six of the last eight wickets for 27.

There have, of course, been many better cricketers, but Brocas was a very good man to have on any side and one of whom it can be truly said that he played cricket cheerfully and unselfishly to the enjoyment of himself, his own
side, his opponents, and any spectators present.

In 1939 he found himself serving as Military Attachd in Rome, where since there was no cricket he had to entertain himself by "doing as the Romans." Later in the war he held various commands and led an important Military
Mission to Russia. On retirement he found little difficulty in adapting himself with complete success to the responsibilities of the active Chairmanship of a large and complicated family business.
The Cricketer Spring Annual 1967